The tourism industry and cycling community within Ballarat is celebrating as the first major event since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic could be returning in early 2021.
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The 2021 Federation University Road National Championships is waiting for approval to take place in its usual early January spot, however it may be joined by a new UCI Gran Fondo world qualifier.
Both events are waiting to be approved by the state government on October 20.
Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club president Tim Canny said the announcement of the UCI Gran Fondo is huge from a tourism and cycling perspective, as it will bring in competitors from all over looking to qualify for the world championships.
"It's really exciting that we may have an event coming down the pipeline," he said.
"It's something to look forward to, it gives cyclists something to train towards. As this event will be a UCI qualifier for the world championships, it will be an attractive event and draw a lot of people from all over the place looking to qualify. The top 25 per cent of finishers in each category will qualify for the worlds."
The dates for the event are yet to be released after UCI incorrectly published the wrong dates online, stating the event would take place in February.
Mr Canny said having this event take place alongside the Road Nats in 2021 will only further cement Ballarat's reputation as the home of road cycling in Australia.
"It's a great thing for Ballarat and a great thing for the entire nationals event," he continued.
"This further cements Ballarat as the home of road cycling. It's really exciting for our club and our members to have an event like this on our doorstep."
Looking at what it means to have a major event return to the region, Mr Canny, who is also the Sovereign Park Motor Inn manager, said it's going to be great to see people return to Ballarat after such a difficult year.
"It's a tremendously exciting announcement. It's going to be great to see people coming back to the region and spending nights at our hotels and motels and helping the industry get back on their feet," he said.
This comes after many of the region's biggest events were cancelled across 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic.
Events in 2021 also remain up in the air, with the Organs of the Goldfields festival cancelled recently. The organisers of the event took to their website to announce the cancellation.
"Like every aspect of our lives Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields is facing an uncertain immediate future.The Festival board has regretfully decided to cancel Festival 2021," the organisers said.
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